Agri stir may intensify

ST Correspondent

Sunday, 3 June 2018

Farmers to cut supply of veggies & milk to urban areas if demands not met by June 7

Mumbai: As many parts of the country especially north Indian cities are now feeling the heat of rising prices of vegetables and food because of the break in supply, the farmers’ agitation in Maharashtra is set to intensify in coming days.

Kisan Sangharsh Committee has decided to reach taluka offices in State on June 5 with tur, sugar and milk imported in State from outside. These items will be gifted to CM Devendra Fadnavis through the taluka offices. After that if the government does not act on the demands then, by June 7, the committee has said that farmers will cut the supply of vegetables and milk to urban areas.

The State has seen huge production of tur dal (pulses) and sugar and the prices of these commodities are falling, which is hurting the farmers. But the government has imported pulses from Mozambique and sugar from some other countries. Milk from Gujarat and Karnataka is being allowed to sell in State at higher rates. The farmers will hand over agri products to the tehsildar.

“We will send all agro products to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as he is responsible for the failure and wrong agro policies. We are gifting him these products,” said Ajit Nawale, leader of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti.
This committee had given a call of an agitation from June 1. They protested all over the State as per the appeal. “The State government has not realised the intensity of our agitation. If government does not meet us for discussion, the farmers will cut off all the supply of vegetable and milk by June 7,” Dr Navale warned.

The committee has also decided to go for transport disruption protest from June 10 if the State government does not accept the demands of
farmers.

When asked about farmers’ strike called by Kisan Mahasangh, Dr Nawale said that they support the agitation. “We have some differences with them. But all those protesting for farmers will have our support,” said Dr Nawale.

Kisan Sangharsh Samiti is putting forward its all old demands. MSP plus 50 per cent rates to farmers, implementation of complete loan waiver, implementation of assurances given by State government on May 12 after Nashik to Mumbai long march and other demands are being made by the committee. “They have given us assurances several times but nothing changes on ground. We will now force this government to accept all our demands,” said Dr Nawale.

We will send all agro products to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as he is responsible for the failure and wrong agro policies. We are gifting him these products. — Ajit Nawale
(Leader of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti)